Norma

• Norma, a tragic bel canto opera in 2 acts, premiered at La Scala, Milan, in December 1831.¹
• Bellini wrote the role of Norma for his friend² and artistic advisor,³ Italian bel canto soprano Giuditta Pasta (1797-1865). Pasta also originated roles by Rossini and Donizetti.⁴
• Synopsis from the Metropolitan Opera

Casta diva

• The aria “Casta diva” (“Chaste Goddess,”) is sung by Norma early in Act I. It is a prayer to the moon goddess for peace between Norma’s people and the invading Romans.⁵

1. Friedrich Lippmann, Mary Ann Smart, and Simon Maguire, “Bellini, Vincenzo,” Grove Music Online (Oxford University Press, 2001), accessed July 24, 2019, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000002603.
2. Rachel Beaumont, “Norma Musical Highlight: ‘Casta diva,’” Royal Opera House (2016), accessed July 24, 2019, https://www.roh.org.uk/news/norma-musical-highlight-casta-diva.
3. Lippmann, Smart, and Maguire, “Bellini, Vincenzo,” Grove Music Online.
4. K. Stern, “Pasta [née Negri], Giuditta,” Grove Music Online (Oxford University Press, 2001), accessed July 24 2019, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000021047.
5. Rachel Beaumont, “Norma Musical Highlight: ‘Casta diva,’” Royal Opera House (2016), accessed July 24, 2019, https://www.roh.org.uk/news/norma-musical-highlight-casta-diva.